The Boy's Playbook of Science / Including the Various Manipulations and Arrangements of Chemical and Philosophical Apparatus Required for the Successful Performance of Scientific Experiments in Illustration of the Elementary Branches of Chemistry and Natural Philosophy

by John Henry Pepper

The property of carbonic acid gas of extinguishing flame, as compared with the contrary property of oxygen, is nicely shown by first passing into a large and tall gas jar one half of its volume of oxygen gas; a large cork perforated with holes may be introduced, so as to float upon the surface of the water in the gas jar, and is usefully employed to break the violence with which the carbonic acid enters the gas jar, as it is passed in to fill up the remaining half volume of the gas jar, which now contains oxygen at the top, and carbonic acid gas at the bottom. On testing the contents of the jar with a lighted taper, it burns fiercely in the oxygen, but is immediately extinguished in the carbonic acid gas, being alternately lighted and put out as it is raised or depressed in the gas jar.

Ninth Experiment.

A little treacle, water, and a minute portion of size, may be placed with some yeast in a quart bottle, to which a cork and pewter or glass pipe is attached; directly the fermentation begins, quantities of carbonic acid gas may be collected, and tested either with lime-water or the lighted taper.

Tenth Experiment.

Some clear lime-water placed in a convenient glass is quickly rendered milky on passing through it the air from the lungs by means of a glass tube; thus proving that respiration and (as shown by the ninth experiment) fermentation, as well as the combustion of charcoal, produce carbonic acid gas.

Eleventh Experiment.

Carbonic acid gas is not only generated by the above processes, but is liberated naturally in enormous quantities from volcanoes, and from certain soils: hence the peculiar nature of the air in the Grotto del Cane. Dogs thrust into this cave drop down immediately, and are immediately revived by the tender mercies of the guides, who throw them into the adjoining lake. This natural phenomenon is well imitated by taking a box, open at the top, and nailing on to it a frame of cardboard, which may be painted to represent rocks, taking care that a portion (about three inches deep) at the lower part is well pasted to the box at the edges, so that the gas may be retained; a hole is perforated at the top side to admit a lighted taper, and another at the side for the pipe from the carbonic acid bottle; when the bottom is filled with gas, a taper is applied, which is found to burn in the upper part, but is immediately extinguished when it reaches the lower division, where the three inches of pasteboard prevent it falling out: thus showing in a simple manner why a guide may enter the cave with impunity, whilst the dog is rendered insensible because immersed in the gas. (Fig. 148.)

Fig. 148.

a a. The box model of the Grotto del Cane. b b. Cardboard fixed in front of box, and painted to imitate rocks. c. Carbonic acid gas bottle, with bent tube passing through hole in the side of the box. A taper introduced at d burns in the upper, and is extinguished in the lower, part of the model.